Lodging in France’s Monasteries

Spend a night or a week as a guest at a working monastery and come away filled with the essence of France, its history, art, architecture and local traditions.

There are hundreds of monasteries, maisons and convents throughout France where travelers can enjoy a holiday touring France, including its perched villages and ancient walled towns. You’ll get a chance to mingle with the locals at the daily market or enjoy a glass of Bordeaux or hot chocolate in a friendly café. Perhaps you’d prefer to people watch from an atmospheric plaza or stroll the medieval quarters and cobblestone streets of a quiet hamlet. Engross yourself in France’s idiosyncratic timber-framed houses and royal castles, as charming today as they were hundreds of years ago or visit a bastide, a town layout unique to France.

Monastery travel represents a singular experience, a travel experience that Europeans have enjoyed for centuries. Each institution is open to all regardless of religious denomination and without any religious obligation. Whether you prefer the sophistication of a city, the allure of the countryside or the simplicity of a tiny walled village, each offers an experience that will linger long after you’re returned home.